Mountain Biking Nutrition: Trouncing “Hanger”
Hanger (hunger + anger) is real. When you’re out of fuel on the trail, hanger rears its ugly, unavoidable head.
Nowadays, the rise of delicious new nutrition options means life on the trail doesn’t have to be this way. Try one of our favorite mountain biking snacks before you spin your wheels and never be hangry again.
Slopeside Untapped Maple Syrup: Sweet sustenance
When a family of Vermont ski racers collaborates with a professional cyclist, we get a delicious alternative to goopy, chemical-laden gels. Maple syrup is more than waffle dressing. It goes down easy and packs a surprising nutritional punch with vitamins like potassium, manganese, iron, calcium, and zinc as well as amino acids and antioxidants.
Best For: Storing in the fridge, busting out on a hot day
Skratch Hydration: Trust the science
Skratch contains such novel ingredients as real fruit and sugar, so you’re not running on questionable compounds. Best of all, each mix is carefully balanced for the right ratio of calories with your hydration. High-sodium options aid perspiring bikers.
Fun hint: mix raspberry + lemon-lime flavors for raspberry limeade.
Best For: On-the-pedal hydration
Enduro Bites: Break up your ride
Dense and not too sweet, these fig-based super bars come studded with espresso and/or chocolate nuggets for the right amount of kick and a toothsome texture. Enduro Bites come in packages of four, with 100 calories per square. Round out your nutrition as you pace your consumption over the course of a workout.
Best For: On-trail energy
Honey Stinger Chews: Bee the leader
Sometimes we crave candy – or at least semi-wholesome fruit snacks. Sports nutrition jumped on this desire early on, but the only products available were hard to swallow and stuck to your teeth. Sweet, citrusy Honey Stinger Chews are just the right texture, contain 100% of your daily vitamin C and sweeten your ride with delicious real honey.
Recover!
The 30-minute post-ride window is a crucial time to replace your glycogen stores and get your body fueled for the next adventure. Keep a carbohydrate-heavy snack in your glovebox or backpack, Snickers or otherwise. Get some good fats and proteins (think nuts, avocados, salmon and rice) within two hours so you’ll be flying on your next ride.
Bonus Boost:
A Skratch Labs Hot Cider spiked with bourbon is a great way to soothe tired muscles and a weary mind at the same time.
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